Dogmatic (film)

Dogmatic
Written byGeorge Zaloom
Z.A.K.
Directed byNeill Fearnley
StarringMichael Riley
Leila Kenzle
David Leisure
ComposerRon Ramin
Country of originUnited States
Canada
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerJoey Plager
ProducerSusan Murdoch
CinematographyRichard Wincenty
EditorStephen Lawrence
Running time91 minutes
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMay 30, 1999 (1999-05-30)

Dogmatic is a 1999 Canadian-American television comedy film. It aired on May 30, 1999, on ABC as part of season 43 of the anthology series Wonderful World of Disney. It stars Michael Riley as an advertising executive who switches bodies with a dog. It was directed by Neill Fearnley.

Plot summary

Dennis Winslow is an advertising executive. He owns a dog, Rocky, and is engaged to Amy. After lightning strikes him and his dog, the two switch bodies. Dennis begins to consume dog food. When he encounters people, he licks their hands prior to shaking them. Amy breaks up with him. The duo find out that Pal Acres, his firm's largest customer, has a sordid secret of operating a puppy mill in a warehouse. While Dennis and Rocky attempt to liberate the puppies, Pal tries to court Amy and prove that the man and dog have switched bodies.

Cast

Production

Dogmatic was filmed in Canada in 1996.[1] The film aired on ABC on May 30, 1999, as part of season 43 of the anthology series Wonderful World of Disney.[2] The film's genre is fantasy comedy.[3][4]

Barkley, the dog in the film who played Rocky, was a Jack Russell Terrier. His name was inspired by an Out of Africa character.[5] He previously was a guest on The Drew Carey Show and Friends.[6] A stunt double did some of his scenes.[5]

Reception

In a negative review, Gerald Pratley called the film a "pathetic piece of slapstick" and "a dog of a film".[7] Rating the film two stars and touching on body swaps, David Parkinson of Radio Times wrote, "It has been done before in Big and Vice Versa and the canine angle adds nothing new."[5]

The Guardian called Dogmatic an "uninspiring comedy", while The Messenger deemed it to be a "zany comedy".[8][9] Writing in Redding Record Searchlight, Nancy McAlister stated, "In the tradition of films ranging from 101 Dalmatians and Beethoven, [Dogmatic] comes to its conclusion with some last-minute hijinks."[10]

References

  1. ^ Marill, Alvin H. (2005). Movies Made for Television, 1964–2004: 1990–1999. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 139. ISBN 978-0-8108-5174-0. Retrieved 2023-06-03 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "On TV". The Patriot-News. 1999-05-29. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  3. ^ "Best Bets". Stevens Point Journal. 1999-05-30. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "TVWeek's Best". Hartford Courant. 1999-05-30. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c Parkinson, David. "Dogmatic". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  6. ^ "Plugged In". Boston Herald. 1996-06-23. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  7. ^ Pratley, Gerald (2003). Harkness, Amy (ed.). A Century of Canadian Cinema: Gerald Pratley's Feature Film Guide, 1900 to the Present. Toronto: Lynx Images. p. 62. ISBN 1-894073-21-5. Retrieved 2023-06-03 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ^ "Channel 5". The Guardian. 2001-05-07. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Dogmatic". The Messenger. 1999-05-29. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  10. ^ McAlister, Nancy (1999-05-30). ""Dogmatic" Is A Madcap Adventure in Genuine "Disney"". Redding Record Searchlight. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-03 – via Newspapers.com.